About the High School Huddle

Welcome to the Citizen-Times' constantly-updated blog for Western North Carolina high school sports. Features include breaking news, scores and stats, college recruiting updates and live blogs from some of the marquee games in WNC. Readers are encouraged to comment on posts, but personal attacks on current athletes, coaches and their families will not be tolerated and are subject to edit or removal at the moderator's discretion.

Kristen Gaffney, the injured star of the Green Hope High girls’ basketball team, will not be allowed to attend the Falcons’ final games because of disciplinary action taken by the N.C. High School Athletic Association and the school following an altercation after a game on Friday night.

Gaffney, one of the best girls’ players in the state and a Vanderbilt recruit, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee during Green Hope’s 54-45 victory over Durham Hillside in the sectional finals. She was not expected to play in today’s state quarterfinal game against Hope Mills South View.

Gaffney was involved in an altercation with a Hillside player after the game as the players shook hands.

Hillside and Green Hope presented reports to the NCHSAA about the incident.